In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Timber Framers Guild via the online store, or send them to the Guild office. Please tell us that your contributions are "In Memory of Mark Witter."

Mark is survived by his wife, Susan, his daughter, Rachel, and his son, Brian; his parents, Bruce and Janet Witter; his brothers Scott (and wife Pat) and Gregg Witter; parents-in-law Margaret and John Zamierowski; in-laws Peg, John, Claire, Michael, Geraldine, Ann, Marianne, Bill, Stephanie, Elizabeth, Dave; nieces Allison, Cathalyn, Mia, Emma, and Brooke; nephews Michael, John, Jerome, Christopher, and Charlie; and grandniece Tara.

Mark was born in Utica, N.Y., on July 27th, 1953, and grew up nearby. He graduated from State University College at Oswego. Mark became interested in alternative building soon after college and developed a keen interest in timber framing. He was a founding member, director, and teacher in the Timber Framers Guild, an educational and community-building organization to which he was deeply committed.

He worked at Reed Woodworking in Colorado; ran his own business, Whole Grain Timber Frames, in Albany, N.Y.; and worked at The Cascade Joinery in Bellingham for the last ten years of his life.

In his adolescence Mark began what was to become a lifelong passion for music. He played the trombone,. the guitar, and the harmonica and he especially enjoyed the blues. He sat in on countless tunes, playing and singing with friends from all walks of life. He was a member of King Kool and his Royal Blues, the Bluesmatics, and Howlin' Wood. Mark was president and a director of the Pacific Northwest Jazz Alliance. He had a remarkable memory for lyrics as well as an unerring instinct for harmony, rhythm, and form. He has been able to pass this love on to his son.

Mark's third vital pursuit was baseball. He was an avid student of the game, playing, reading, and coaching.

But Mark's real interest was the people in his life. He supported his friends and especially his family in the most profound ways he could fathom, never failing to deliver any help that was needed. To anyone who knew him well, he was caring, present, and stalwart. He gave respect to every person he met. He passed this on to his daughter. He was a great man.

Mark will always be loved and sorely missed.

The Bellingham Herald carried the obituary here: http://news.bellinghamherald.com/stories/20040618/Obituaries/194534.shtml

BACK